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Final Assessment Report
Biology (BSc/MSc/PhD)
September 2018 Summary of the Program Review
UNIVERSITY OF
WATERLOO
In accordance with the University Institutional Quality Assurance Process {IQAP), this final
assessment report provides a synthesis of the external e\taluation and the internal response
and assessments of the programs (BSc, MSc, PhD) delivered by the Department of Biology. A
self-study (Volume I) was submitted to the Associate Vice-President, Academic and Associate
Vice-President, Graduate'Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs on August 17, 2016. The self-study
presented the program descriptions and learning outcomes, an analytical assessment of these
three programs, and program data including the data co lected from a student survey along
with the standard data package prepared by the Office of Institutional Analysis & Planning
(IAP). Appended were the course outlines for all courses in the program and the .CVs (Volume II)
for each full-time faculty member in the Department.
Two arm's-length external reviewers (Volume 111), (Dr. Jack Gray, Professor of Biology,
University of Saskatchewan and Dr. Mark Bernards, Professor of Biology, University of Western
Ontario) were ranked and selected by the Associate Provost, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral
Affairs, in addition one internal reviewer (Dr. Daniel Gor-nan, Associate Professor of History)
was selected by the Associate Vice-President, Academic.
The external reviewers examined the self-study documentation and then conducted a site visit
to the University on December 15-16, 2016. The visit induded interviews with the: Associate
Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs; Associate Vice-President, Academic;
Dean of the Faculty; Chair of the Department; Associate Chairs of the Department; Faculty
members; staff and laboratory technicians; as well as meetings with a group of current
graduate and undergraduate students. The Review Team also had an opportunity to tour the
Department facilities.
This final assessment report is based on information ext�acted, in many cases verbatim, from
the self-study, the external reviewers' report and the program response.
Program characteristics
The Department of Biology was established in 1964 as a1 independent academic department in
the Faculty of Science. In addition to the core Biology urdergraduate program (starting in 1964,
co-op in 1979), the Department oversees programs in Biochemistry (1985, regular and co-op;
September 2018 Page 1 of 24
UNIVERSITY OF
WATERLOO
Biology and Chemistry before 1985), Biomedical Sciences (regular only, 2005, previously Pre
Optometry/Pre-Health) and Environmental Science (2013 regular and co-op, previously Biology
and Environment and Resource Studies).
The graduate program features MSc and PhD degrees that prepare students for careers in
various academic, industry or government sectors related to the subject of Biology. Through
thesis research and course work, students acquire advanced scientific research and analytical
skills.
Biology has been heavily involved (e.g., represented on the steering committees) in the Centre
for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, the Water Institute, the Waterloo Institute for
Nanotechnology, and the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention. Along with the Department of
Chemistry, the Department of Biology jointly leads the Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology. Close research collaborations, including shared instrumentation, exist with each of the
schools and departments in the Faculty of Science.
Summary of strengths, challenges and weaknesses based on self-study
Undergraduate Program
Strengths:
• The program continues to provide the breadth of basic Life Science education to the
University at large, including pre-Professional preparation and elective courses for other
Faculties
• Teaching quality is at a very high level, with numerous awards and recognitions
• Course instructors are highly engaged in developing and implementing new approaches
such as active learning techniques
• Laboratory courses continue to be offered, some stand-alone and others embedded,
and experiential opportunities are being welcomed as much as possible
• The co-op program continues to grow and is a major differentiating factor in
undergraduate recruiting
• Strong collaborations have formed with other "bio-based" initiatives across campus
Challenges:
• While the Science Teaching Complex has helped, Biology is still handling huge numbers
of students; more than half the students at Waterloo take at least one Biology course• Enrolments continue to increase at higher levels proportionally to the University
average with no accompanying increase in budget, stretching administrative and
technical resources to their limits
• Enrolments in the co-op programs are increasing more quickly than the ability to
identify relevant jobs, suggesting that either the number of required placements for the
September 2018 Page 2 of 24
co-op degree should be reduced and/or consideration should be given to unpaid
placements if necessary
• Curriculum development is ongoing, reacting to changes in faculty complement and in
the disciplines and techniques of Life Sciences
Weaknesses:
• The Biology programs have very few international students. There is interest in
expanding joint programs (especially China 2+2), as, in addition to serving the University
strategic area of internationalization, these students provide a mechanism for significant
revenue generation
Graduate Program
Strengths:
• The graduate program has been enhanced over the review period by faculty renewal
• New research programs in Aquatic Biology, Computational Biology, Structural Biology,
Cell Biology and Microbiology, in particular, have broadened the available training
opportunities
• After two or three years of declining incoming enrolment, the numbers are starting to
recover as these new programs grow• Due to the breadth of research in the Department and the cohort that is built through a
unified Graduate Student Association, seminar symposium and graduate course
("Scientific Communication"), students get exposed to more cross-disciplinary
conversations and collaborations than in more specialized Departments
Challenges:
• Like many other departments, times-to-completion have been higher than desirable for
MSc and PhD programs. The Associate Chair Graduate Studies has focused specifically
on students beyond the expected time limits and, through personal coaching and
mentoring, has succeeded in getting several long-term students to complete. There
have also a more rigorous monitoring protocol put in place, for example through
supervisory committee meetings
• Next steps will be a more structured curriculum with graduate courses offered more
frequently, and a more active recruiting process to attract higher quality candidates• While core facilities have been improved, the central support and instrumentation
available to graduate students is a challenge compared to some of the competitor
programs. The proposed Phase 2 building expansion will help to address this issue
• As in other institutions, research funding remains the primary long-term challenge in
growing and maintaining a strong graduate program. Little internal support for graduate
students is available
September 2018 , Page 3 of 24
Weaknesses:
• As with the undergraduate program, there are few international students. There is a
disincentive for accepting foreign graduate students because there is no provincial grant
and tuition is higher.• There are few studentships open to international students and each one takes a place
that might otherwise be filled by a domestic student• The curriculum of graduate courses is limited, especially for courses offered on a regular
basis. A thorough review of course offerings is planned
Summary of key findings from the external reviewers:
Undergraduate Program Recommendations
The reviewers found the undergraduate program to be solid and firmly grounded in the
discipline. However, since the Department of Biology is the only "Biological Sciences"
department on campus, these programs are dependent on the maintenance of a broad-based faculty complement, with appropriate critical mass in each sub-disciplinary area. In addition, the Department faces very high enrolments, and does a lot of service teaching, which puts
more pressure on faculty and instructors.
1. The external reviewers recommended that the Department review the criteria for
continuance in their Honours programs. The minimum 60% average needed to continue seems
low. Alternatives would be to increase the overall average required to continue in a program or
require minimum grades (e.g., 70%} in key courses that define the program (e.g., plant course
electives in the Plant Biology program, microbiology courses in the Microbiology program}.
Response
Continuing averages in several programs have been the subject of consultation and discussion
within the Department indicating strong support for higher continuing averages. However, the
implementation of this plan faces some significant difficulties under the present program
structure. The Department has lookE:!d at the impacts of raising the continuing average in the
Biomedical Sciences program to 75%. This would result in the removal of 50% of the students enrolled in the program. Department data indicate that the students removed from the
program would then likely shift to the Honours Science program, which has a lower continuing average. In the past, students who move to Honours Science then "mirror" the Biomedical
Sciences program, continuing to take the same courses. This potential loss of students to
Honours Science means the Department would no longer be advising students who are taking
their courses.
September 2018 Page 4 of 24
The Department is considering several solutions that could be explored to facilitate increasing
continuing averages in majors programs, contingent with our program renewal efforts. One
option is to move towards a common first year for programs. This would reduce the number of
specialized required-for-program courses, facilitating movement of students who do not meet
the Honours Biomedical Sciences averages into Honours Biology. Another solution, as
suggested by the reviewers, would be to require minimum grades (e.g., 70%} in key courses or
combinations of courses that define the program. Another solution is to offer both Honours and
non-Honours (general} degrees in Biology; an assessment of the resource requirements for this
option would be required as would a recognition of the Faculty's desire to streamline the.
number of BSc academic plans. All three scenarios would assist the Department in retaining
students not maintaining an Honours program average. They will remain in the Departmental
curriculum and will obtain advising and normal course progression. This is a strategy used by
several Ontario universities and allows for a more streamlined and efficient academic
curriculum.
In light of discussions on several items in relation to our curriculum, the department has
initiated a comprehensive review for our curriculum. Currently, we have tasked an ad hoc
curriculum review committee with a terms of reference to undertake a 'broad strokes' review
of our curriculum and to propose direction for the departments consideration. A report from
this committee and consultation with the department should be completed by early fall 2018.
Following this processs, the department will task another group (perhaps the standing
committee on curriculum} to propose specific changes to meet the goals of the proposal from
the ad hoc committee and a means by which these can be implemented to minimize
disruptions. Therefore, the department expects that the structure and direction of its offerings
could change as a result of this process, and once decisions have been made changes may very
well require several years to implement. As a result, we are currently in a 'hold' mode and do
not expect to have any significant alterations in our offerings until this process is complete.
2. The external reviewers recommended that the Department consider including
undergraduate representation on their Curriculum Committee (if it doesn't already exist}, and
to include student bodies such as the Biology Undergraduate Society in their curriculum
decision making.
Response
The Departmental Curriculum Committee has already initiated contact with Biology
Undergraduate Society (BUGS} in terms of decision-making. We have rejected having a full time
undergraduate member on the Curriculum Committee due to the high turnover of students in
BUGS and the changing focus of the society on an annual basis. However, there is broad
September 2018 Page 5 of 24
UNIVERSITY OF
WATERLOO
support for a. consultative role. The Department also consulted with biomed students via a
town hall to seek their input on our programs.
3. The external reviewers recommended that the degree credit level remain unchanged, and
that the program not be forced to reduce the credit load to 20. The current number of lecture
content courses is appropriate, and the "artificial" inflation of degree credits created by
splitting some labs away from the lecture courses they were traditionally associated with does
not represent additional work that students must complete to meet degree requirements.
Removal of lecture content courses to accommodate lab credits would represent a reduction in
program content, relative to similar programs at other Canadian universities.
Response
The Department has made progress on workload associated with our programs by making some
changes (e.g., eliminating tutorial sessions, reduced lecture contact hours for courses with
integrated lecture and lab) and will continue to be mindful. Regardless, we are confident that
the workload required to complete our programs are in line with the expectations of similar
programs offered at peer institutions. As indicated by the reviewers the number of credits
required for our program is "artificially" high due to the non-traditional assignment of credit
units (e.g., separation of lab and lecture component of a course).
The department has ongoing discussion with this issue with the Associate Dean Undergraduate
Studies and the Dean of Science. We seem to be in agreement that our ongoing curriculum
review, as described above, will address issues regarding credit number of our programming,
including examining ways to limit programs to 22.0 credits, without compromising the integrity
of programs.
4. The external reviewers recommended that the Department find a way to incorporate a
requirement for university level mathematics (e.g., calculus) into their degree programs, rather
than leaving this as an option.
Response
Several of the Department's programs do have calculus as a requirement (e.g., Honours
Biochemistry, Honours Environmental Science (Ecology specialization), Honours Life Physics
(Biophysics specialization)). Most students (>75%) in the Biomedical Sciences program take
calculus as an elective to meet admission requirements of various professional schools. The
Department has recently modified math offerings in consultation with the Faculty of
Mathematics and is now offering sections of its first year calculus course (Math 127) that are
September 2018 Page 6 of 24
framed in biological measurement and design for students in life sciences programs. This will
make the courses more relevant and attractive to students enrolled in Biology programs. The
Department's approach has been to ensure Biology students have mathematical
numeracy/literacy that can be satisfied through diverse courses. All of the Biology programs
require students to take math and/or statistics or physics courses that require numeracy as a
primary measurement of success. The ongoing ad hoc curriculum review committee will be
addressing this more thoroughly with their recommendations expected in September 2018.
5. The external reviewers recommended that program requirements be reviewed with an eye
to requiring a minimum number of 400-level courses.
Response
The Honours Biology program requires a minimum five 400-level courses and Honours
Environmental Science (Ecology specialization) requires a minimum of three 400-level courses.
The Honours Biomedical Sciences program currently has no requirement for 400-level courses.
As part of the restructuring of the undergraduate curriculum the inclusion of a minimum
number of 400-level courses is expected for all programs. We have already completed this for
the Biomedical Sciences program.
6. The external reviewers recommended that the Department, in conjunction with the Faculty
of Science, explore mechanisms to increase the number and quality of Co-op placements for
Biology students.
Response
The Department has consulted with Co-op Education and Career Action (CECA) on this issue.
The lack of employment in Co-op does not always reflect a lack of employment opportunity.
CECA feels that the quality of jobs available to Biology students is good and Biology has become
a focus program in CECA receiving increased attention from Account Managers and Business
Developers. The Faculty of Science has recently formed a Co-op committee under the guidance
of the Associate Dean, Computing and Co-operative Education-that will address issues that
surround Co-op employment in the Faculty of Science. The Department of Biology will work
closely with this group to help improve workplace placement opportunities.
7. The external reviewers recommended that the Department make a concerted effort to more
overtly expose undergraduate students to the breadth and extent of on-going research
amongst Biology faculty. This could be achieved through an active "in-reach" program that
includes promotional posters and the involvement of the Biology Undergraduate Society.
September 2018 Page 7 of 24
Response
About 15% of students enrolled in department-based programs engage in research
opportunities. It is challenging to increase this percentage because of the very high
student:faculty ratio that exists in our department relative to peer units. The department is
hoping to receive support to increase our research faculty complement and funding to support
our programming in the coming years to address this important issue.
Despite the limitations, we do have in-reach programs inviting undergraduates to participate in
research activities in the department through Biol 499 Senior Honours projects, summer NSERC
USRAs, volunteer opportunities as well co-op employment. Further, Departmental seminars are
advertised through posters that are routinely posted around the department. There is an active
twitter feed and substantial Facebook presence. Professors announce seminars in lectures that
are pertinent to the material being covered in that course. The Faculty and Department work
with various science societies to promote events. There is a recently mounted digital display
screen in the Biology department that is now utilized for advertising research-focused events.
8. At risk of interfering with internal university personnel structure, we strongly recommend
that consideration be given to converting "Instructor" roles in the Department into "Lecturer"
(i.e., faculty) positions. The current instructors are carrying out a lot of what are traditionally
faculty roles.
Response
The job description for our instructors were reviewed and updated in January 2015 and the
instructors have expressed satisfaction with their current role in the department.
9. We recommend that the Department put in place a clear communication strategy to ensure
lab equipment needs are coordinated between course instructors/lecturers and the technical
staff in place to support them.
Response
The composition of the curriculum committee has been altered recently to include substantial
representation of technical staff. The current curriculum committee consists of research and
teaching faculty representing major programs. The instructors are well represented and there
are two technicians who participate. The committee meets monthly and all members of the
department are welcome to submit items to the agenda. Input is requested from all members
of the committee and any changes to labs are cleared through both instructor and technicians.
The associate Chair Undergraduate Studies now meets with technicians once a semester. Our
impression is that system works well and that lines of communication are open.
September 2018 Page 8 of 24
� WATERY.CO
Graduate Program Recommendations
The Department delivers a robust graduate program with a strong national and international
reputation. Many of the reviewers' observations showed a general satisfaction amongst
graduate students and faculty and the collegiality of all departmental members was clear. All
members were attuned to the strengths and weakness of the graduate program and there are
positive efforts being made to maintain the strengths and address the weaknesses.
10. The external reviewers recommended that clarity on prioritizing domestic or international
graduate student recruitment would be beneficial to articulate a common goal understood by
the Department and administration.
Response
The Department agrees with the recommendation and looks forward to clarity coming from
upper administration and the faculty dean on the balance between the desire for
internationalization and the need for domestic financial return.
11. The external reviewers recommended that supervisory committees have authority to
recommend waiver of one or more PhD course requirements, for approval by the Graduate
Chair, following assessment of courses completed in a previously completed MSc program,
including programs completed at another institution.
Response
There is currently a mechanism in place to waive PhD course requirements, which requires
approval at the departmental level through the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) and
approval at the faculty level through the Associate Dean {Graduate Studies). While this option
is available to students it has not been widely used or promoted within the Department.
12. The external reviewers recommended that supervisors and students draft an agreement of
mutual expectations and timelines soon after the student enters the program and that
timelines be updated in each progress report presented to the supervisory committee and that
these timelines be approved by the committee.
Response
September 2018 Page 9 of 24
UNIVERSITY OF
WATERLOO
This has already been enacted in the Department. Students present a proposal within two (MSc) to three (PhD) terms of starting their program that outlines their research, course work, as well as timelines to completion. This is approved by the supervisory committee and reported to the departmental graduate office in writing. Student progress is then assessed on an annual basis in a supervisory committee meeting and a report on progress is submitted to the departmental graduate office. The Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) reviews ali student reports (proposal, committee meeting, comprehensive). The Department is working hard to bring increased responsibility and engagement from graduate students enrolled in the Biology program by providing students with letters that note the milestone that is overdue. The student must then determine a date that the milestone will be completed and this letter is returned to the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies). If that date is not met, there is a follow up meeting with the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies).
13. The external reviewers recommended that the comprehensive exam procedure bereviewed, and consideration given to alternative models such as inclusion of a literature reviewor a mock grant proposal (such as a NSERC Discovery Grant) that is evaluated by theexamination committee (written and oral components).
Response
The Biology Graduate Studies Committee (BGSC), which also includes graduate student representative, has examined this issue and has proposed to retain the present comprehensive exam procedure, as it is a useful exercise that had positive academic benefits. This has been discussed at a recent departmental meeting (April 2017). To assist students with their comprehensive exams graduate student orientation will now include discussion on the expectations and the process for the comprehensive exam. A fall workshop is being planned for incoming PhD candidates that includes student experiences for this particular milestone. The Graduate Studies and Post Doctoral Affairs Office (GSPA) is also currently examining the comprehensive exam milestone.
14. The external reviewers recommended that a committee meeting in the later stages of thestudent's program be designated to determine if the student has completed data collection andbe given formal permission to begin writing a thesis. At this meeting, the student could submita table of contents of the proposed thesis.
Response
The present system has a "permission to defend" committee meeting at the end of the students' programs. This recommendation has been made in the revised regulations for PhD
September 2018 Page 10 of 24
UNIVERSITY OF
WATERLOO
defences from the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) office. The Associate Chair
(Graduate Studies) has been recommending to all studerts that they have a committee meeting
a term (MSc) or two (PhD) prior to defence and this has been occurring more frequently. In
April 2017, a Pre-Defence Advisory Committee Report form has been developed by the Biology
Graduate Studies· Committee to be implemented immediately. This form has a check box for
whether or not the student can proceed towards completion of their thesis. The form also has a
required comments box to provide students with feedback from their committee. Currently,
the Department is recommending that this meeting take place to be in line with the
recommendations for the PhD defence from the GSPA.
15. The external reviewers recommended that the graduate course curriculum more accurately
map to the research fields and that courses be modified to provide a balance between specific
training with their programs and broad training within the field (possibly through common
graduate courses in the subfields) and for professional development.
Response
The Department is currently undergoing program renewal and will be examining courses and
the program to ensure they map to the new research fields. There are currently professional
development courses on academic teaching offered through the Centre for Teaching Excellence
(CTE) and the GSPA offers resources in professional development through GRADventure. The
BGSC and the Department will be examining options for Biology-specific professional training
and development through our program renewal.
16. The external reviewers recommended that a human resource appointment within the
Faculty of Science be attached to the Department to provide support related to graduate
student TA appointments, files for postdoctoral positions, etc.
Response
In the Department there is a full-time graduate adminis-rative assistant and a part-time
position in support of the administrative assistant. These positions provide direct liaison with
faculty level management. There is a Graduate Manage-nent System that is currently being
developed at the faculty level. This will help to automate some of the administrative work
around teaching assistant appointments in terms of generating letters and payment
information. However, there is likely going to be significant change in TA administration across
the entire Faculty of Science due to the impact of the new budget model. Postdoctoral
appointments are now being managed through the Chairs Office Department of Biology as well
as through the GSPA.
September 2018 Page 11 of 24
17. The external reviewers recommended that the Vice President Research commit to a subsidy
to support a renovated aquatic facility, which could be included in a potential CFI application.
Response
The Dean of Science and the Office of Research have both committed $750,000 each to
renovate the aquatic facility. An animal care technician that is presently working part time in
the aquatic facility will be dedicated to the management and running of the facility.
18. The external reviewers recommended that the Department work with the Faculty of Science
to provide matching funds to support a CFI proposal to improve the aquatics facility.
Response
The Faculty of Science now has a group of research fellows that receives and assesses such
proposals and makes recommendations to the Dean of Science. For CFI grants the funding
formula is 40% CFI, 40% Ontario Research Fund, and 20% vendor in-kind discounts. In cases
where the vendor in-kind does not reach the 20% level, the Faculty of Science will consider
making up the shortfall following assessment by the Research Fellows. The Department of
Biology will help facilitate these discussions and recommend proposals for support from the
Dean of Science.
19. The external reviewers recommended that the Committee of Research Fellows create clear
and transparent guidelines for provision of equipment maintenance funds.
Response
The Department has requested further clarification on this point from the Associate Dean
Research and is encouraged by the response. The Faculty of Science is presently working to
address researcher access to equipment maintenance funds. For common equipment
Chairs/Directors will ask for maintenance funding in their yearly budget requests to the Dean.
For equipment located in individual labs once a term calls for proposals for maintenance
funding will be made, with the Research Fellows adjudicating the requests and recommending
which ones to fund to the Dean. There is a mechanism in place already for the repair and
maintenance of eligible CFI equipment. Annual proposals are submitted to the research fellows
for evaluation and funding is awarded based upon decisions recommended to The Office of
Research.
September 2018 Page 12 of 24
20. The external reviewers recommended that the Department work with the Faculty of Science
to firmly establish a risk-funding program for faculty facing grant renewal. If this funding was
guaranteed, it would allow researchers to develop longer term plans for their programs.
Response
The University has instituted an Internal UW NSERC Discovery Grant Research Incentive Fund
(RIF) that provides $15,000 to researchers that have lost NSERC Discovery funding. The Faculty
of Science has instituted discussions on providing backstop funding for graduate students that
have not completed their degrees and are in a lab that has lost funding. Both programs offer
support for both researchers and graduate students to develop long term research plans.
21. The external reviewers recommended that the Department work with the Graduate Studies
Office to determine campus-wide quota system for scholarships that doesn't disadvantage
strong departments, such as Biology.
Response
Previously when students competed directly through funding agencies, Biology was receiving
the benefit of 15-20 post-graduate scholarships a year. Under the present University of
Waterloo quota system based upon Tri-council funding, Biology has limited access to MSc level
scholarships. In the past few years there has been a steady decline in availability to scholarships
such that we presently have a maximum number that is 40% of previous awards. This decrease
in scholarship funds has been concurrent with a decline in graduate enrollment as research labs
find themselves pressed for funds to support students. The lack of access to scholarships makes
the Department less competitive when recruiting students, it limits the number of students in
the Department as a whole and as such has a direct impact on our research activities and
consequently ability to attract and hold tri-council funding. At this time this outside of
departmental governance.
22. The external reviewers recommended that the number of Special Topics (i.e., targeted)
courses could be reduced.
Response
Currently there are two special topics courses, MSc (BIOL 680) and PhD (BIOL 681). The reason
for the apparent large number of special topics (targeted) courses is that the GSPA requires
departments to provide a title for each course. As these are target courses for a low number of
September 2018 Page 13 of 24
students and are often specific to the field of study; it results in a large number of titled
courses. The BGSC has examined this and is considering that for each of the Department's
identified research fields that there be a special topics course for MSc and PhD programs but
that there will be no titles associated with these. While this will result in 12 new courses, this
will dramatically reduce the visual impact of the number of special topics courses while
retaining the course flexibility that a diverse department needs.
23. The external reviewers recommended that common courses could be offered in the
Department's newly identified research fields.
Response
Graduate curriculum is presently under reform with an aim to increase enrollment in research
field specific courses. The aim is to build cohorts of students, increase interaction between
students and reduce the number of graduate courses offered. The Department has currently
examined our course offerings and inactivated eight courses that have not been taught
recently. In addition, the course descriptions for three courses have been updated. Going
forward in the graduate curriculum reform, the Department will be examining the number of
courses taught in our fields of study as well as the special topics courses noted in the previous
recommendation. This is currently being addressed and should be complete within two years
followed by approvals for calendar changes.
24. The external reviewers recommended creation of a modular-based graduate course that
could be tailored across research fields and allow for breadth and flexibility for each student. As
an example, this course could contain six modules, of which the student would be required to
complete three for credit. Incorporation of the existing BIOL 690- Scientific Communication
into this model could better insure that students attain important communication skills without
making it a full course requirement.
Response
The BGSC has discussed the potential for a modular graduate course and this proposal will be
continued further.
25. The external reviewers recommended that the Department could regularize when new
faculty are expected to begin to teach grad courses, and how they will fit their courses into the
program.
Response
September 2018 Page 14 of 24
The Department is enforcing the teaching of courses at the graduate level through activities of
the Associate Chair Graduate Studies and through the departmental merit committee. At this
time most faculty are consistently offering graduate courses in their area of specialization. The
Department has worked on consolidating course offerings and has removed many defunct
courses from the calendar. Due to the diverse nature of our department, consolidation of our
courses is challenging due the diverse needs of our students. Regardless, this is being
addressed thrnugh targeted hiring and long range plans addressing faculty recruitment to build
strength in core research areas.
Recommendations that were not selected for implementation:
Recommendation 7. The external reviewers recommended that the Department make a
concerted effort to more overtly expose undergraduate students to the breadth and extent of
ongoing research amongst Biology faculty. This could be achieved through an active "in-reach"
program that includes promotional posters and the involvement of the Biology Undergraduate
Society.
Response
The Department already has substantial in-reach programs inviting undergraduates to
participate in research activities in the Department through Biol 499 Senior Honours projects,
summer NSERC USRA's, volunteer opportunities as well co-op employment. Departmental
seminars are advertised through posters that are routinely posted around the Department.
There is an active Twitter feed and substantial Facebook presence. Professors announce
seminars in lectures that are pertinent to the material being covered in that course. The Faculty
and Department work with various science societies to promote events. There is a recently
mounted digital display screen in the hallway outside the Biology General Office that is used for
advertising research-focused events.
Recommendation 8. At risk of interfering with internal university personnel structure, the
external reviewers strongly recommended that consideration be given to converting
"Instructor" roles in the Department into "Lecturer" (i.e., faculty) positions. The current
instructors are carrying out a lot of what are traditionally faculty roles.
Response:
The job description for instructors were recently reviewed (January 2015) and updated and the
instructors have expressed satisfaction with their current role in the Department. Regardless,
as the department considers its curriculum in the coming years we will be mindful of the
appointment details of hires in this area.
September 2018 Page 15 of 24
Recommendation 9. The external reviewers recommended that the Department put in place a
clear communication strategy to ensure lab equipment needs are coordinated between course
instructors/lecturers and the technical staff in place to support them.
Response:
The composition of the Curriculum Committee has been altered recently to include substantial
representation of technical staff. The current curriculum committee consists of research and
teaching faculty representing major programs. The instructors are well represented and there
are two technicians who participate. The committee meets monthly and all members of the
Department are welcome to submit items to the agenda. Input is requested from all members
of the committee and any changes to labs are cleared through both instructor and technicians.
The Associate Chair Undergraduate Studies now meets with technicians once a semester. Our
impression is that system works well and that lines of communication are open.
September 2018 Page 16 of 24
g UNIVERSITY OF
�WATERLOO
Implementation Plan
Responsibility for Leading and Timeline for addressing
External Reviewer Recommendations Proposed Actions Resourcing (if applicable) the
Actions Recommendations
1. The Department review the criteria for The Department is Department Chair and Our approach has
continuance in their Honours programs. The undergoing a Associate Chair multiple steps with a
minimum 60% average needed to continue seems comprehensive Undergraduate Studies first 'broad strokes'
low. Alternatives would be to increase the overall review and renewal report to be finalized in
average required to continue in a program or of our undergraduate early fall 2018. Detailed
require minimum grades (e.g., 70%) in key courses curriculum. The proposals with
that define the program (e.g., plant course Department is implementation plan to
electives in the Plant Biology program, considering several follow in 2019.
microbiology courses in the Microbiology program, solutions that could Implementation may
etc.). be explored to take multiple years.
facilitate increasing
continuing averages
in majors programs.
2. The Department consider including undergraduate The Department has Associate Chair Enacted and ongoing
representation on their Curriculum Committee (if engaged BUGS in Undergraduate Studies
it doesn't already exist), and to include student decision making
bodies such as the Biology Undergraduate Society through the
in their curriculum decision making. Curriculum
Committee.
3. The degree credit level remain unchanged, and This issue has been Department Chair and Our approach has
that the program not be forced to reduce the resolved, for the time Associate Chair multiple steps with a
credit load to 20. The current number of lecture being at least. This Undergraduate Studies first 'broad strokes'
content courses is appropriate, and the "artificial" point will be more report to be finalized in
September 2018 Page 17 of 24
4.
5.
6.
inflation of degree credits created by splitting
some labs away from the lecture courses they
were traditionally associated with does not
represent additional work that students must
complete to meet degree requirements. Removal
of lecture content courses to accommodate lab
credits would represent a reduction in program
content, relative to similar programs at other
Canadian universities.
The Department find a way to incorporate a
requirement for university level mathematics (e.g.,
calculus} into their degree programs, rather than
leaving this as an option.
Program requirements be reviewed with an eye to
requiring a minimum number of 400-level courses.
The Department, in conjunction with the Faculty
of Science, explore mechanisms to increase the
number and quality of Co-op placements for
Biology students.
September 2018
�WATERY.00
thoroughly early fall 2018. Detailed
addressed as we proposals with
review and revise our implementation plan to
curriculum. follow in 2019.
Implementation may
take multiple years.
The curriculum Associate Chair We are currently
renewal process will Undergraduate Studies evaluatiung this and
consider making through our ad hoc
calculus a curriculum review
requirement in most committee we expect to
programs. address this within 3
years.
Our curriculum Associate Chair Partially enacted 2017
renewal will include Undergraduate Studies (will be in 2018-9
required 400 level calendar}. Ongoing 2-3
courses in all years
programs.
Faculty of Science Associate Chair Ongoing
has formed a Co-op Undergraduate Studies and
Committee and Chair of Department.
Biology will work
closely to assist in
developing work
placements.
Page 18 of 24
7. The Department make a concerted effort to more The Department has Broad departmental Ongoing
overtly expose undergraduate students to the substantial channels responsibility
breadth and extent of ongoing research amongst of engagement and
Biology faculty. This could be achieved through an feels these are
active "in-reach" program that includes adequate at this
promotional posters and the involvement of the time.
Biology Undergraduate Society.
8. Consideration be given to converting "Instructor" The Department Chair of Department Rejected the
roles in the Department into "Lecturer" (i.e., rejects the reviewers' recommendation
faculty) positions. The current instructors are interpretation of the
carrying out a lot of what are traditionally faculty instructors roles.
roles. Following thorough
consultation with our
instructors their job
descriptions were
reviewed and
updated in 2015.
They have expressed
satisfaction with
their roles and job
descriptions.
9. The Department put in place a clear We have altered the Associate Chair Enacted
communication strategy to ensure lab equipment composition of our Undergraduate Studies
needs are coordinated between course curriculum
instructors/lecturers and the technical staff in committee and
place to support them. management
structure such that
September 2018 Page 19 of 24
� UNIVERSITY OF
�WATERLOO
there is increased
communication with
technicians.
10. Clarity on prioritizing domestic or international The Department Associate Chair Graduate Ongoing
graduate student recruitment would be beneficial seeks clarity from Studies
to articulate a common goal understood by the upper administration
Department and administration. on this issue.
11. Supervisory committees have authority to Mechanism already Associate Chair Graduate No action needed
recommend waiver of one or more PhD course exists. No action Studies
requirements, for approval by the Graduate Chair, needed.
following assessment of courses completed in a
previously completed MSc program, including
programs completed at another institution.
12. Supervisors and students draft an agreement of This has already been Associate Chair Graduate Enacted
mutual expectations and timelines soon after the enacted in the Studies
student enters the program and that timelines be Department
updated in each progress report presented to the
supervisory committee and that these timelines.be
approved by the committee.
13. The comprehensive exam procedure be reviewed, BGSC has met and Associate Chair Graduate Rejected the
and consideration given to alternative models such rejected the Studies recommendation
as inclusion of a literature review or a mock grant recommendation.
proposal (such as a NSERC Discovery Grant) that is Students and Faculty
evaluated by the Examination Committee (written are happy with
and oral components). present system.
14. A committee meeting in the later stages of the This is now part of Associate Chair Graduate Enacted spring 2017
student's program be designated to determine if our supervisory Studies
the student has completed data collection and be
September 2018 Page 20 of 24
given formal permission to begin writing a thesis. committee meeting
At this meeting, the student could submit a table report
of contents of the proposed thesis.
15. The graduate course curriculum more accurately Our curriculum is Associate Chair Graduate Ongoing with up to a 4-5
map to the research fields and that courses be under review and Studies year timeline for
modified to provide a balance between specific renewal and will be completion
training with their programs and broad training mapped to research
within the field (possibly through common fields. Professional
graduate courses in the subfields} and for development is
professional development. widely available
across campus
16. We recommend that a human resource Outside of Dean of Science and Outside of Department
appointment within the Faculty of Science be Department Department governance
attached to the Department to provide support governance
related to graduate student TA appointments, files
� for postdoctoral positions, etc.
17. The Vice President Research commit to a subsidy Completed Dean of Science and Office of 2017
to support a renovated aquatic facility, which Research
could be included in a potential CFI application.
18. The Department work with the Faculty of Science Ongoing Aquatic Facility Users Group, Ongoing 2017- 18
to provide matching funds to support a CFI Department Chair
proposal to improve the aquatics facility.
19. The Committee of Research fellows create clear Outside of Department Chair, Associate Ongoing
and transparent guidelines for provision of Department Dean Research
equipment maintenance funds. Governance
20. The Department work with the Faculty of Science Existing Associate Dean Research Ongoing
to firmly establish a risk-funding program for -
faculty facing grant renewal. If this funding was
May 2017 Page 21 of 24
� UNIVERSITY OF
�WATERLOO
guaranteed, it would allow researchers to develop
longer term plans for their programs.
21. We recommend that the Department work with Associate Chair, Graduate Under the present
the Graduate Studies Office to determine campus- Studies University of Waterloo
wide quota system for scholarships that doesn1
t quota system based
disadvantage strong departments, such as Biology. upon Tri-council funding,
Biology has limited
access to MSc level
scholarships. At this time
this outside of
departmental
governance.
22. We recommend that the number of Special Topics Associate Chair, Graduate The reason for the
(i.e., targeted) courses could be reduced. Studies apparent large number
of special topics
(targeted) courses is that
the GSPA requires
departments to provide
a title for each course.
23. We recommend that common courses could be Associate Chair, Graduate This is currently being
offered in the Department's newly identified Studies addressed and should be
research fields. complete within two
years followed by
approvals for calendar
changes.
September 2018 Page 22 of 24
� WATERY.00
24. We recommend creation of a modular-based Associate Chair, Graduate The BGSC has discussed
graduate course that could be tailored across Studies the potential for a
research fields and allow for breadth and flexibility modular graduate
for each student. As an example, this course could course and this proposal
contain six modules, of which the student would will be continued
be required to complete three for credit. further.
Incorporation of the existing BIOL 690 _;_ Scientific
Communication, into this model could better
insure that students attain important
communication skills without making it a full
course requirement.
25. We recommend that the Department could Department Chair We now have clarified
regularize when new faculty are expected to begin Associate Chair, Graduate direction on this.
to teach grad courses, and how they will fit their Studies
courses into the program.
The Department Chair/Director, in consultation with the Dean of the Faculty shall be responsible for monitoring the Implementation Plan.
September 2018 Page 23 of 24
UNIVERSITY OF
WATERLOO
Date of next program review:
AFIW Administrative Dean/Head (For AFIW programs only)
Faculty Dean
Associate Vice-President, Academic
(For undergraduate and augmented programs)
Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs Date
(For graduate and augmented programs)
2023
Date
Date
Date
Date
Date
September 28, 2018
